Barack Obama vs. Free Speech

I have conducted an experiment with both the campaigns of John McCain and Barack Obama, in which I created a presence on each of their web sites, and raised concerns that I have with both candidates. I wanted to test their commitment to our Constitutional free speech rights on their own sites. I made sure I stuck to the facts, and merely questioned if either candidate was prepared to lead us as President. From the start there was significant differences in the reactions of both sides. On the McCain side, they simply answered my questions with points about his experience as a Senator, and on the Obama side I was viciously attacked by supporters, who decided cussing me out was better than convincing me their man was the right man for the job.

After three or four months, the response of the campaigns made the difference. John McCain’s campaign allowed me to continue to question him, and were polite in their reaction. But Barack Obama’s campaign decided yesterday to kick me off the web site for making “false claims” and “fear-mongering”, their words, not mine. Now remember, I made it a point to post only things I knew were factual and merely questioned each candidate’s abilities to be President. It became very obvious that they have no desire for real opinions or questions, that they only want positive praises or nothing at all. In my view, this is a serious matter, and really must raise the question:

Do we want or need a President that is willing to shut down the voices that question, instead of answering those voices? Can the rights we hold dear, our Constitutional rights, survive such a Presidency?

I have since decided to support John McCain, as I could never support a person that would crush my Constitutional rights without batting an eye. I hope many of you who want to protect these same rights will join me in supporting McCain for President.